Well, at least for one more day the Brewers have managed to avoid being buried alive.

There were 9 major league games yesterday, here are the important ones:

Cubs 9, Mets 5
Win Probability Graph
BR Box Score

Phillies 6, Braves 2
Win Probability Graph
BR Box Score

So the campaigning has begun for Dale Sveum to have the interim tag removed from his title. His best friend, a former teammate (who plays everyday) and a gritty veteran who reads Goosebumps books think he should stay. Fire Ned Yost is on it.

Speaking of decisions, a decision is also looming regarding the general manager for 2008. Between the Green Pillars says the Brewers either need to retain Doug Melvin or let him go. Is there a third option I was missing? If you missed it yesterday, Jeff made the case for Melvin to stay.

And of course, a decision is also looming on a contract offer for CC Sabathia. The Junkball Blues compiled this list of pitchers who have received a 6-year deal since 1998:

• Kevin Brown
• Johan Santana
• Pedro Martinez
• Mike Mussina
• Mike Hampton
• Barry Zito

It's much less expensive to develop your own ace, in the long run. Hopefully the Brewers can start that process in Appleton, as they officially agreed to terms on a player development deal with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers yesterday. If you happen to be hanging around today and it's around 11, follow that link for live video of the press conference.

Until now, the Timber Rattlers had been a Mariners affiliate. The Mariners will still be in the Midwest League, as they signed a deal with the Clinton Lumberkings yesterday. Clinton has my favorite park in all of minor league baseball.

Baseball Time in Arlington is impressed by the Brewers' decision to give every fan at Thursday's game a free ticket for 2009, and says the Rangers could learn a lot from the Brewers.

The Brewers are 6th (down from 4th) in the WhatifSports Power Rankings.

On injuries:

Carlos Beltran bruised his knee running into the wall in last night's game, but stayed in the game and will likely play tonight.
Reds OF Chris Dickerson is done for the year and will have surgery to correct a stress fracture in his ankle.

Jamie Moyer has thrown 190 effective innings this season at 45 years old. Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says it's not the best pitching season by a 45-year-old ever, but it is the second best.

Despite barely cracking the top ten on his team in VORP, Jason Bartlett has been named the Rays MVP by the local chapter of the BBWAA. Fire Joe Morgan would like to invite some of said writers to spend some time at the bottom of his hot tub.

Oh, and today's a woot-off. Buy cheap electronics responsibly.

Drink up.

So, as Jeff mentioned in yesterday's Plastic Cup, I was on the road yesterday. A brief anecdote from the road:

The fiancee and I were traveling together yesterday, and my last item of business was finished a couple of hours before hers. So there I was, in the back of a coffee shop, headphones in, listening to the Brewers, waiting for the call that would say "it's time to go." I tuned in around the time Manny Parra was exiting. I spent about 4 innings wishing she would hurry up and call, as the game was...well, less than encouraging. But I was there when Prince's double tied it in the 8th, and I was trying hard not to make a scene when Ryan Braun singled to lead off the 10th...

And the phone rang. "Ok, I'm ready for you to pick me up." I reluctantly packed my things, walked to the parking garage, and by the time XM Radio could pick up reception, it was 5-3 in the bottom of the 10th. Not only did I miss Prince's first home run, I didn't even know that's how they scored until the post-game show. Hopefully I'll catch about 50 more of them this season to even it out.

Win Expectancy Graph
Baseball Reference Box Score
ESPN Video Highlights
Baseball Digest Daily Recaps

With the win, Baseball Prospectus' Postseason Odds have the Brewers winning exactly 81 games, with a 16.2% chance of winning the Central.

All kinds of stuff about Prince following the game:

Tom H. has Fielder's postgame quotes.
Home Run Derby named it Home Run of the Day.
In-Between Hops notes the Fielder is even with his home run pace from last year, but would need to hit 4 in his next 5 games to keep it up.
Baseball Musings notes that, before the HR, 7 of Prince's 13 hits had come with runners in scoring position.
Yahoo has a photo of Prince rounding the bases.

Also, if you're looking for quotes from the Cardinals regarding yesterday's game, Fungoes has a wealth of them.

Bugs and Cranks has a nice review of the situation at the back end of the rotation, with Bush, Villanueva and Parra holding spots and Gallardo looking for one.

Speaking of Villanueva, John Sickels has an in depth look at him.

He's had one at bat in the last three days, but Ken Rosenthal still can't get enough Gabe Kapler.

Forbes has released their annual valuations of all 30 MLB teams. The Brewers rank 24th.

Brief Alphabetical Morning (BAM) Injury Reports:

Erik Bedard may have torn cartilage in his hip. I'm not sure what that means for his return.
Carlos Beltran missed last night's 14-inning marathon with a stiff neck.
Rangers OF Marlon Byrd has been placed on the DL with a sore knee.
Braves reliever Peter Moylan is out for the season with a bone spur pressing against the UCL in his elbow.
Rays reliever Al Reyes is on the DL with an impinged shoulder.
Richie Sexson will miss a game or two with nagging shoulder and leg pain.
Miguel Tejada isn't hurt, but he sure is aging fast.

Speaking of things that'll make you age fast, the Rockies and Padres played 22 innings last night. Even Fangraphs gave up after 17.

Two stories out there today showing Cub fans in a (well deserved?) negative light: First, via Redleg Nation, I found this clip of Marty Brennaman's reaction to Cub fans throwing dozens of balls on the field following a home run. Also, Fukudome's reaction to a racist t-shirt being sold by vendors outside Wrigley is a must read. I know a lot of very bright, intelligent Cubs fans that are a credit to their franchise...it's just unfortunate they seem to be in the minority.

Bucs Dugout continues their search for baseball's worst GM. Polls are open right now for Omar Minaya v. Jim Hendry and Ken Williams v. Wayne Krivsky.

Gaslamp Ball wants to hear about your favorite baseball books.

Finally, in response to a question asked in the game thread a couple of nights ago, TheJay has compiled a list of the last players to wear #42 for every franchise. Scott Karl was the last Brewer, and also the last Rockie. Interestingly enough, Mo Vaughn was the last player to wear #42 for three teams.

That's all for today. I'm back on the road in a few hours, so Jeff will be filling in again tomorrow and Sunday. If you have something to submit for inclusion in a future Mug, please post it in the comments. Drink up.